Akpan's Surprise Visit

Royals midfielder Hope Akpan is fresh off the back of his first goal for the club, so it was a great chance for him to pass on some expertise to up and coming local talent this week!

The former Everton midfielder, alongside under 21 star Aaron Tshibola, visited one of our Community Trust coaching sessions on Tuesday evening, which took place at Woodley Goals Centre.

The 22-year-old cast an eye over the Advanced Development Centre, which aims to give some of the brightest young players in the area a step up towards the Reading FC Academy.

Hope quizzed the players on what drills they had been partaking in, before giving some tips on what it takes to become a professional footballer - whilst talking the boys through the importance of ball retention and spacial awareness, which was keenly taken on board by the fellow midfielders amongst the group.

Lucky youngsters then posed for photographs with the Liverpudlian, who had to field questions on subjects such as what team he supported a child...and what he thought of Adam Le Fondre!